The circuit breaker cuts off aberrant or fault currents. It’s a mechanism that acts as a switch and disrupts the flow of high-amperage electricity. The primary function of a circuit breaker is to interrupt current flow in an electrical circuit for safety reasons. Generally speaking, a circuit breaker will include both stationary and movable contacts. When the circuit is closed, the contacts are in physical contact, and the current flow between them. Electrodes, the current-carrying contacts, engage each other when the circuit breaker is closed under the force of a spring. Opening and closing the circuit breaker’s arms allows for switching and maintenance while the system is functioning normally. Flipping the circuit breaker only takes a light touch on a trigger. The breaker’s trip coil is triggered when a fault is detected, and its movable contacts separate from one other in response. For matters concerning this device, ensure safety with expert Circuit Breakers Repair Installation.
Here at Westlake Village Electricians, we look at the rated voltages as the primary criterion for categorizing circuit breakers. Low voltage circuit breakers are those with a rated voltage lower than 1000V, whereas high voltage breakers are those with a rated voltage greater than 1000V. Circuit breakers are most commonly categorized according to the medium used for arc extinction. The subsequent categories of circuit breakers are:
- Sulphur Hexafluoride Circuit Breaker
- Vacuum Circuit Breaker
- Air Break Circuit Breaker
- Oil Circuit Breaker (Bulk Oil Circuit Breaker and Minimum Oil Circuit Breaker)
- Minimum Circuit Breaker
- Air Blast Circuit Breaker
If you want to know more about what’s going on with your circuit breaker and other parts of your electrical system, you can reach out to us to answer all of your questions.
Why Does My Circuit Breaker Keep Tripping?
The most common causes of tripped circuit breakers and their solutions are as follows:
- You’ve just got bad wiring – The breaker may trip if the wiring of an outlet is improper. If an outlet consistently produces the same results regardless of its use, you should have an electrician inspect the outlet to ensure proper wiring.
- Your circuits are shorting – The wiring in your home is the source of this issue, making it somewhat more significant. You can tell that your outlet uses a different type of wiring since multiple wires are linked. A short circuit occurs when two live wires come into contact, or a live wire comes into contact with a neutral wire. A professional should examine the situation if you think this might be the problem.
- You’re experiencing a ground fault – A ground fault, like a short circuit, occurs when the hot wire makes contact with an unintended object; however, unlike a short circuit, the object in question is not another wire. When the black or hot wire meets the metal of the wall outlet, this is known as a ground fault. Suppose you feel this is the problem that is triggering your circuit breaker to trip repeatedly. In that case, you should have a professional take a look, as the hot wires can be highly dangerous to the uninitiated.
- Your appliances are faulty – A malfunctioning appliance might cause repeated tripping of a circuit. It’s not hard to figure out what’s wrong, and replacing the appliance is the best solution.
- Your circuits are overloaded – When too much electricity flows through a circuit, a circuit breaker is designed to trip. For example, if you try to use a 30-amp appliance on a 20-amp circuit, the breaker will trip to prevent damage to your property from the excessive current. Too many devices plugged into a single outlet might cause problems; therefore, disconnecting some may be necessary.
- You need a heavy-up – Another option is to call Westlake Village Electricians and have an expert check your circuit’s amperage to ensure your appliances aren’t drawing more power than they’re supposed to.
How Many Circuit Breakers Can I Add To My Breaker Box?
The maximum number of circuit breakers that can be installed in a panel is determined by the number of empty slots seen from the front of the panel enclosure. As mentioned above, three more 120-volt breakers can be installed in the panel. That’s the shortest explanation. However, things get tricky if you need to add more circuits than you have available slots for. Half-height breakers, also known as tandem breakers, are designed to accommodate two circuits in a single free pole. The tandem breaker can be installed in place of an existing breaker to increase the number of available circuit breakers in a panel by one. Some manufacturers of solar panels prohibit tandems entirely, while others accept them just in specific areas. In addition, the manufacturer’s rating for the panel, which can be found on a data sticker on the panel’s interior, specifies a maximum number of breakers.
When replacing breakers in a panel, make sure to use either new breakers made by the same manufacturer or those made by a different manufacturer that has been UL-approved for use in your panel. It’s not enough that they snap into place on the bus bar and fill the slot; this doesn’t guarantee their safety or proper operation. An additional alternative, albeit one that may incur additional costs, is having an electrician install a subpanel that is wired into the main panel. It requires two openings in your current panel but provides many more circuits.
What Should I Know About Circuit Breaker Locking Systems?
Circuit breaker locks are fitted to avoid the unintentional or intentional disconnection of critical electrical systems. NEC 422.30 or 422.34, and similar sections, require a disconnecting means for all appliances, and similar code provisions require that the breaker be readily accessible, which means it can be switched off without special tools and can be accessed by building occupants. Any circuit breaker lock that prevents the breaker from being switched off by occupants may violate these sections.
While it is generally recommended that circuit breakers be placed in easily accessible locations, this rule is one significant exception. Some circuits, like the fire alarm system, are too important to be switched off by regular building inhabitants. An electrician may install a circuit breaker lock to prevent such an action on a fire alarm circuit located in an electrical panel whose other breakers MUST be readily accessible and able to be switched off.
Locks on individual circuit breakers, which can be secured with a key or padlock, prevent the “off” position from being tripped by anyone who isn’t trained or permitted to do so. That way, you can rest easy knowing that the power to things like the fire alarm system in your building will never go out.
What Causes an Overload?
An electrical overload occurs when more current than usual flows through a circuit but stays within the usual channels of conductivity. Typically, an overload will be anywhere from 1.35 to 6. Over time, the plasticizers in insulation become vaporized when a circuit is overloaded, causing the insulation to dry up and crack. Too many loads on a circuit or broken machinery can cause persistent overloads. Overload protection devices are installed to turn off the power supply in the event of an overload. Fuses and circuit breakers provide overload protection in electrical circuits.
Starting currents during motor startup or transformer energization are common sources of overload. Components of a circuit can withstand short-term overheating caused by transients or overloads because of the low temperatures reached during these events. The lack of danger makes them safe to use. Overloads that occur continuously can cause significant damage to the electrical system’s conductors and other components if they are allowed to persist for too long. Over time, if the overload isn’t stopped, this wear and tear could cause catastrophic fault occurrences like fires. The modest magnitude of most overloads means that they may be safely removed within seconds or minutes, with no risk of heat damage.
The main causes of an overload in the circuit are:
- Inrush currents when starting a motor
- Worn bearings of a motor
- Too many loads in a single circuit
- Overloaded machine tools
- Damaged material and products
What Is A Low Voltage Circuit Breaker?
To most people’s distress, their home’s electrical system is unexpectedly delicate and picky. The components that keep it together and transmit power may look reliable, but they are just as prone to difficulties and issues as any other portion of your home. Several factors could cause an abnormally low voltage in your home; however, is a faulty breaker among them?
Low voltage in your home is not likely to be caused by a faulty breaker, although it is possible. Since there are so many potential causes of low voltage, a broken circuit breaker is usually not one of them. However, your breaker may blame the low voltage if it isn’t making a proper connection to the panel box or if it is overloaded.
A faulty breaker is just one of several potential causes of low voltage in the home. It is up to you to determine if you will test each potential component on your own or if you will employ an expert, but solving the issue must be addressed. The following factors cause a lack of voltage:
- Poor Wire Quality
- Wires are stretched in Long Distances
- Circuit Overload
- Electrical Imbalance
- Bad Splicing
- Ground Faults
- A Faulty Breaker
Know that you are abundantly equipped with information, you should be able to gauge what your electrical system needs best. You can always visit our blog page for more information. But if you want to take action, call our hotlines, and we’ll assist you immediately.